Make your way to the local outfitter’s office near the main marina in Tahoe City, getting an early start to avoid the summer crowds for a peaceful mountain morning on the lake. Get equipped with a kayak, paddle, and life vest, and receive a brief safety orientation before launching out onto the calm waters.
As you paddle through the clear, snow-fed lake, soak up the relaxed atmosphere of Tahoe in the summer, which has a distinctly different vibe from the winter ski season. Learn how the relaxed culture and less developed landscape of the west shore differs from the high-rise hotels and casinos of the Nevada shoreline while your guide shares local insight into the history of recreation on the lake.
Learn about the early settlers who built rustic lakeside cabins, and hear tales from California history like the legendary Donner Party’s tragic winter, Teddy Roosevelt’s stalled efforts to turn the area into national parkland, and stories of life along the nearby Truckee River. After about 2.5 hours cruising along the shoreline in your kayak, return to the marina midday — a perfect time to enjoy lunch at one of Tahoe City’s many restaurants (own expense).
